Posts Tagged ‘EPL’

The boys are back at it again today. Man City has a hot date with Tottenham at City’s house. Both sides have a ton to play for. City is in a knock down drag out battle with Man U for the title. Spurs are locked in a death in a match with my Gunners and Chelsea for third and fourth place in the EPL. The winner of third and fourth place gets a shot at the Champions League.

My Gunners are at the Hoops house today. This is a must win situation for the guys. Queens Park Rangers are in a fight for their very lives. QPR must win this sucker too if they want to avoid getting the heave-hoe.

These nine matches heading down the home stretch are high stakes poker at its best. It’s winner take all and the loser goes home for good.

Wenger said this about what the guys need to do.

“I see us fighting like mad to win the game. That is all I see, I don’t see further,” the Arsenal boss said.

“We are focused on QPR, believe me.

“We know that is always a tricky game for everybody and that is what is important to us.

“After that we focus on the next one and our capability to finish the season in a strong way depends on just how much we focus on every game.”

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/318081?cc=5901

There is a possibility my Gunners could catch City. We trail city by 12 points but this means we would have to run the table and the Citizens would have to lose eight out of nine matches for the guys to have a shot at second place.

Wenger said this. All quotes taken from www.arsenal.com

“We will try to give our best,” said the Frenchman. “What we can hope for is to be third. We can be fourth, we can be fifth, we can be sixth – we want to be as high as possible and that depends on our consistency now.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-i-see-us-focused-on-qpr-i-don-t-see-further

The race is o for the top and the heave-hoe zone.

Let the games begin.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br

Chelsea is the last hope of the EPL in Champions League play.  Man U, Man City, and my Gunners have bombed out. The Blues have scored that all elusive away goal in the 75^th minute. Fernando Torres raced down the right touchline. He drove into the right side of the box. Torres fired a great ball to mate Salomon Kalou who rammed home the point blank shot into the back of the net for the match winner.

Chelsea beat the Aguias 1-0.

This is the first time Benfica was shut out at home.

This was the Blues first road win in the Champions League.

Chelsea has a 1-0 lead as they head home for the second leg.

Benfica had most of the possessions but the Blues did not let them poke the rock past the goal line. The Aguias had numerous chances but Petr Cech has come up big. Cech stone cold stopped em.

Real Madrid shut out Apoel Nicosia 3-0.  The Greek side packed the box to stop the dreaded Los Blancos attack. This worked for the first 74 minutes. Los Blancos scored three goals in the last sixteen minutes. 

Karim Benzema hit the daily double. Mate Kaka added a goal as well. The Brasileiro star had a goal and an assist.

Real Madrid heads back to Spain with a 3-0 lead.

Gunner and Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

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My boo Mengao almost blew it big time against Volta Redonda. Flamengo gave up a goal in the 14^th minute on a shot by Redonda’s Rafael Granja.

“O jogo começou muito estudado. Mesmo com posse de bola maior, o Flamengo não conseguia chegar ao gol do Volta Redonda, que levava perigo nos contra-ataques. E foi justamente num deles que o time da casa abriu o placar. Aos 15min, Julio Cesar deu bom passe na direita para Rafael Granja, que bateu cruzado e venceu o goleiro Felipe graças a um leve desvio em Junior Cesar: 1 a 0.”

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/estadual-do-rio/pos-jogo/2012/03/24/vagner-love-decide-faz-gol-de-letra-e-flamengo-vira-sobre-o-volta-redonda.htm

The morons played bad defense however David got the equalizer in the 35^th minute. Then to make matters worse the idiots committed a stupid studs up tackle in the 40^th minute. The chief moron was Luiz Antonio Moraes.

It sure looked bad for Rubro-negro. However the guys didn’t give up and scored three second half goals to win 4-2. Vanger Love led the attack with the daily double.

Leonardo Moura added a brilliant strike in the 90^th minute to seal the deal for Flamengo.

Mengao didn’t play Ronaldinho Gaucho. The announcers for Globo radio said that Flamengo is a better club without Gaucho. Gaucho’s play não serve para nada.

The win gives Rubro-negro 12 points.

UOL wrote this- “David Braz e Léo Moura marcaram os outros tentos do time comandado por Joel Santana, enquanto Rafael Granja e Leílton anotaram para os donos da casa. Com o resultado na partida que teve três expulsões (Luiz Antonio, Róbson e João Paulo), o Rubro-Negro segue firme na briga por uma vaga na semifinal do segundo turno do Campeonato Carioca.”

Botafogo is top dog with 13 points. Macaé lost to Americano-RJ 3-1 and Mengao moved into second place on goal difference. Flamengo is a plus five while Macaé is a plus four.

Globo Esporte had this to say about Flamengo’s win. “Só a raça não seria suficiente. Só o oportunismo de Vagner Love não bastaria. O Flamengo precisou unir os dois elementos para, com um jogador a menos em boa parte do jogo, vencer o Volta Redonda por 4 a 2, de virada, no Raulino de Oliveira. O time de Joel Santana alcançou o resultado – fundamental na luta pela classificação – no segundo tempo, disputado todo sem Luiz Antonio, que recebeu o cartão vermelho ainda na etapa inicial.

O resultado permite que o Flamengo respire na Taça Rio. Faltando três rodadas para o término da fase de classificação, o time chega a 12 pontos no Grupo A, na terceira colocação, atrás do Macaé (que enfrenta o Americano neste domingo) por causa do critério de saldo de gols. O próximo compromisso no estadual é contra o Bangu, no domingo, em Macaé. Antes, na quarta-feira, tem Libertadores: duelo com o Olimpia no Paraguai.”

http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/carioca-2012/24-03-2012/volta-redonda-flamengo.html

River Plate and Grimnasia La Plata tied nil-nil. The tie moved Los Millionaires into the top spot in Nacional B for now. River Plate has 49 points. However Instituto de Cordoba has 49 points as well but they will play on Monday against15^th place Desamarados.

The EPL Newcastle defeated West Brom 3-1. Toons and Chelsea both have 50 points but the Blues are a plus 15 compared with Newcastle’s plus two.

Chelsea is in fifth place.

Toons are in sixth. 

Spurs are in fourth place with 55 points.

Eight points separate third thru sixth place.

The top four places in the EPL get a Champions League berth.

Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Two early goals propelled my Gunners to a huge 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Kieran Gibbs scored his first EPL goal in the 16^th minute plus a great dribble drive to the rack and a deadly close range strike by Theo Walcott that flat out beat the naked keeper in the 25^th minute spelled doom for Villa.

Mikel Arteta added a close range bomb in the 90^th minute plus three gave us Gunners fans one more final cheer.

This win coupled with Chelsea and Tottenham’s nil-nil draw gave the guys some breathing room.

Arsenal has 58 points.

Tottenham stays in fourth place 55 points.

Chelsea is fifth with 50.

My guys have an eight-point cushion over Chelsea and a scant three points over Spurs.

My Gunners were in control of this sucker from the outset. We were never in any danger. The guys are playing very well.

Wenger said this about my Gunners win. “I felt it was a very dynamic, fluent performance in the first half with top technical quality. It was a controlled performance in the second half, but our fatigue came in a bit because we gave a lot at Everton on Wednesday night.

“We have consistency at the moment, so let’s go home and wait for the next game.”

Wenger told the guys they can’t take anything for granted.

“At the time [we were 17th] I agree it was a dream to be in third, but what you do is you come in and do your job as well as you can, stay positive and work hard. I was optimistic because the attitude of the players was positive every day.

“We have gone through difficult times, we have learned that nothing is guaranteed and we must keep humility and focus to finish the season in a strong, convincing way.”

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/quotes?id=317958&cc=5901

Wenger said this about Theo Walcott’s goal. All quotes taken from www.arsenal.com

“Theo had a very good performance and scored a great goal. “You have to give him credit for that. But I would like to give credit to the pass from Song, because it is not the first time he has done that. You do not see many defensive midfielders [do that]. If you look at the assists that he has made this season, you will see that his numbers are top in Europe.”

Wenger talked about what has been the difference in the clubs recent performances.

When we did not win games [earlier in the season], I did not feel we played as badly as people said. I feel we have gained a lot of confidence in our play out from the back and that makes a massive difference. The defenders who play out from the back give us a security now and that allows the team to be much more confident.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-it-was-a-very-dynamic-fluent-performance-

Wigan scored a stunning 2-1 win over Liverpool.

The Wigs guys scored the match winner in the 63^rd minute. Gary Caldwell rammed home the rock after the Reds equalized in the 47^th minute. Luis Suarez ripped the winner from dead center of the box.

This was Wigan’s first win at Anfield.

Liverpool has lost two in a row and five out of their last six matches.

The win by the Latics lifted them into 19^th place with 25 points.

Wolves lost to Norwich City 2-1.

Everton defeated Swansea City 2-0.

Bolton doubled up Blackburn 2-1.

Sunderland destroyed Queens Park Rangers 3-1.

The big news of the day is this. Man City and Stoke City tied one all. Peter Crouch struck gold for the Potters in the 59^th minute but a Yaya Toure bomb from thirty yards out saved the Citizens day in the 76^th minute.

City and Man U are tied on points with 70 each but City is in first place on goal difference with a plus 50. Sir Alex and the boys are a plus 46.

Man U battles Fulham on Monday.

Gunner for life.

www.palau,.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Santos picked up a huge 2-0 win over Juan Aurich Thursday in Copa Libertadores Group One play. Neymar and Edu Dracena scored for Peixe. The win gives Santos nine points. Peixe is top dog in Group One.

Velez Sarsfield defeated Deportivo Quito 1-0.

Juan Manuel Martinez hit the match winner in the 89^th minute. Velez Sarsfield is atop the leader board with nine points.

The EPL takes center stage today. Chelsea battles Tottenham. Both Spurs and the Blues are fighting for the final two spots in the Champions League.

My guys from Arsenal are at home against Aston Villa. This is another one of those must win situations for the guys. The rumor mill has it that Wenger is close to signing Germany striker Lukas Podolski. Wenger said this- “Quantity-wise we will not do a lot. Quality-wise certainly, and we will take a gamble if we find top, top quality of course,” he said.

“The number of the squad is 25. We have many players out on loan and we have not had Jack Wilshere or Abou Diaby for the whole season.

“These players will be back and that means number and quality-wise we are strong because we are now in the position we are in without these players.”

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/317958?cc=5901

The guys have a five match-wining streak. This has propelled my Gunners into third place.

Wenger told the guys they must maintain their focus if they want to finish in the top three. The team can’t ease off it must be pedal to the medal.

All quotes taken from www.arsenal.com

“As soon as you ease off, things change quickly. We have tricky fixtures and how well we finish depends on our attitude. If we keep our attitude, we have a chance.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-being-favourites-means-nothing

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

My guys finally moved into third place. It was a nip and tuck battle with Everton at the Toffees house but my Gunners came away with a 1-0 win. Thomas Vermaelen rammed home the header in the 8^th minute. This sucker was set up by a great corner kick by mate Robin Van Persie.

This was the only score of the match.

Tottenham tied Stoke City one all. It sure looked like that Spurs were going down to their fourth defeat in a row. Rafael Vander Vaart scored the equalizer in the 90^th minute to possibly save Tottenham’s season.

With my guys win and Spurs tie Arsenal moves into third place with 55 points.  Spurs are fourth with 54. Chelsea lost to Man City 2-1. The Blues took the lead 1-0 when Gray Cahill flicked home the winner off the foot of City’s Yaya Toure in the 60^th minute. The Citizens keeper Joe Hart never had a chance.

It sure looked like City would go down in flames but City rose from the ashes to score two goals in the final thirty minutes to win 2-1.

A PK by Sergio Aguero in the 78^th minute and Samri Nasri’s goal in the 85^th minute kept City in touch league leader Man U.

The crazy man Carlos Tevez made his first appearance in more than six months for City. His dribble drive into the box set up the PK for Aquero.

Queens Park Rangers came back from a two deficit to beat Liverpool 3-2.

The Hoops were down 2-0 entering into the final fifteen minutes of the match. QPR scored three times to send the Reds crashing and burning.

Jamie Mackie scored the match winner in injury time to send the Hoops out of the bye-bye zone.

The race for the top shakes out like this. Man U sits atop the leader board with 70 points. City is second with 69. My Gunners are third with 55. Spurs are fourth with 54. The Blues are fifth with 49.

In the race for the heave-hoe zone looks like this. Wolverhampton is in the whale dung position with 22 points. Wigan is one step above with 22 points as well. Wolvers are a minus 33 while the Wig guys are a minus 29. Bolton is one out of the get out a jail free card with 23 points.

Queens Park Rangers are sitting in 17^th place with 25 points. In 16^th place resides Blackburn with 28 points.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Sir Alex and the boys put behind them the fiasco last Thursday at Athletic Bilbao. Sure the opponent is Wolves however the Red Devils showed why they are the class of the EPL.

This sucker was over by half time. Johnny Evans scored his first goal in 110 matches for Man U in the 21^st minute. He nailed a point blank shot. Evans put it into the back of the net.

The mighty boys from Old Trafford were in control from the outset. A dumbo second foul by Wolves Ronald Zubar didn’t help. This was his second yellow card in a span of eleven minutes.

Man U responded by scoring two goals in a span of two minutes to salt this puppy away. Antonio Valencia 43^rd minute and Danny Welbeck 45^th minute plus one all but assured the Red Devils the points.

Chicharito hit the daily double in the second half. Man U comes away with a 5-0 win over Wolves.

The mighty boys from Old Trafford have won five league matches in a row.

Sir Alex and the boys are four points clear of City.

Man U has 70 points.

The guys have a plus 46.

City is a plus 49.

The Citizens battle Chelsea on Wednesday in City’s house. The Blues are playing well since Boas was sacked. This is a must win for City.

My guys from Arsenal battle Everton at our house. We are in a dogfight for third and fourth place. These are final two spots to see who goes to the Champions League.

Newcastle defeated Norwich City 1-0.

Liverpool defeated Stoke City 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of the FA Cup.

Chelsea destroyed Leicester City 5-2. The Blues advanced to the semifinals as well. 

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

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The EPL had two matches on Saturday. Fulham suffered a complete let down against Swansea City. The Swans took it to the Cottagers 3-0.  Gylfi Sigurddsson led the way with the daily double. Mate Joe Allen added a goal in the 77^th minute.

This fiasco took place at Craven Cottage. Clint Dempsey and the boys didn’t show up.

Swansea City has taken it to Man City and now Fulham in back to back matches. The Swans have a three match-winning streak.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said this about the kick ass win over the Cottagers.

“It was a phenomenal performance,” the Swansea manager said. “I felt this was our biggest game of the season and I said that to the players beforehand.

“After the high of last week in terms of the result and the performance against Manchester City, I didn’t want us to just be a team that raises their performance for the big games. We’ve consistently done very well and got good results against the big teams.

“Our improvement has been continual as the season has gone on and I knew Fulham’s record at home has been incredible really, but I thought we put on a real clinic today of what we are about. It was a joy as a manager to see that relationship of training going into the game.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/quotes?id=318048&cc=5901

Wigan had many chances to get the “W” but the Wig guys couldn’t push the rock past the goal line more than once. Wigan and West Brom tied at one all.

This loss by the Latics may have once and for all stuck a fork in their chances of staying in the EPL.

James McArthur scored in the 54^th minute to give Wigan life but a lightening struck twice for Albion in the 65^th minute. Paul Scharner headed home the equalizer to kill Wigan’s hope of moving out of the drop-dead zone.

Two matches in the FA Cup took place today.

Everton and Sunderland tied one all. The Black Cats drew first blood in the 12^th minute. Phillip Bardsley rammed home the winner.  Tom Cahill found the equalizer in the 23^rd minute.

The Toffees and the Black Cats will have a replay at Sunderland’s house.

 Everton Captain Phil Neville is not happy about the draw.

“I think so. We had home advantage and we wanted to win. It was a great tie to play in.

“We didn’t start the game well, but we came into it at the end. I’m disappointed we didn’t play more a little bit. Maybe the occasion got to us a little bit early on and we didn’t make the most of our chances.”

Sunderland Captain John O’Shea was happy with the tie.

“We’re delighted to get them back to the Stadium of Light. We did some great defending, had a bit of luck, and a great save from our keeper has kept us in the cup,” he said.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1036576/phil-neville-disappointed-as-everton-fail-to-beat-sunderland?cc=5901

The Tottenham Bolton match was abandoned when Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch in the 42^nd minute. Both Spurs and Bolton were tied at one all. ESPN has reported this. “After being treated by six paramedics, Muamba, 23, was rushed to hospital where a spokesman said he is currently in a stable condition after medical staff managed to restore his breathing.”

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1037005/fabrice-muamba-in-stable-condition-after-collapse?cc=5901

Later today Man United has a hot date with Wolves. Sir Alex and the boys need to win this sucker. A Red Devil will give them four points clear of City.

Newcastle and Norwich City will hook up as well.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Mengao came up with a huge 2-0 win over Fluminense in the third round of the Taça Rio.

Goals by Ronaldinho Gaucho, PK in the 22^nd minute and a Kleberson rocket in the 27^th minute propelled the guys to the win.

“O início de jogo foi sonolento, com o jogo concentrado no meio e sem chances de gol de ambos os lados, até que, aos 20min, o lateral Thiago Carleto ignorou uma lição básica no futebol que é não dar carrinho dentro da área e, em uma disputa próxima à linha de fundo, derrubou Galhardo.  O árbitro assinalou pênalti e Ronaldinho Gaúcho deslocou Diego Cavalieri para abrir o placar para o Flamengo, aos 22min. Foi o primeiro gol do craque em 11 clássicos disputados com a camisa rubro-negra.

O Fluminense sentiu o golpe e, dois minutos depois, levou o segundo gol. Magal fez grande jogada pela esquerda e cruzou para a área. Anderson tentou afastar, mas cabeceou no pé de Kléberson, que fuzilou Diego Cavalieri. O volante pentacampeão do mundo, que havia sido afastado pelo ex-treinador Vanderlei Luxemburgo, não atuava pelo Flamengo desde novembro de 2010.”

Dumbo Ronaldinho was given the heave hoe in the 42^nd minute. This was a stupid foul and it may have cost us the match but Rubro-negro didn’t crack. Flamengo kept the clean sheet.

This straight red card will cost Mengao dearly. Gaucho will have to sit out the next match.

Mengao has six points. Flamengo sits in 4^th place. Top dog Macaé has nine points. Botafogo is second with seven and Resende is third with seven as well.

Manager Joel Santana said this was a huge win for Flamengo.

UOL- Desta maneira, no melhor estilo Joel Santana, o Flamengo garantiu a vitória e a tranquilidade numa semana importante, já que na quinta-feira, no Engenhão, o Rubro-negro enfrentará o Olimpia-PAR, pela Copa Libertadores.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/estadual-do-rio/pos-jogo/2012/03/11/criticados-r10-e-kleberson-dao-vitoria-ao-fla-contra-um-flu-sem-estrelas.htm

There is a war brewing inside Flamengo’s top brass. The board of directors doesn’t want Adriano while President Patricia Amorim wants him. So the war will be waged, as stupid Mengao won’t pay Ronaldinho Gaucho the money that is owed him. Add on top of that Adriano’s alcoholism and drug addiction and we have a perfect match-gas and fire. 

UOL reports- “O anúncio da saída de Adriano do Corinthians pegou os dirigentes do Flamengo de surpresa e reacendeu uma antiga discussão dentro do rubro-negro sobre uma possível volta do Imperador ao time que o revelou. Ainda que sofra uma rejeição interna muito grande dentro da diretoria, o jogador pode retornar ao clube como uma potente arma política da presidente Patrícia Amorim.”

A reportagem do UOL Esporte apurou que a mandatária, que chegou a declarar diversas vezes nos bastidores ser contra o retorno de Adriano por considerá-lo um jogador problemático, já considera a hipótese de repatriá-lo em função da grande aceitação por parte da torcida. Mesmo ciente dos problemas que cercam o atacante e diante de inúmeros riscos, Patrícia entende que apostar na volta do jogador é uma chance de reconquistar o apoio dos rubro-negros em ano de eleição.”

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2012/03/13/adriano-encara-rejeicao-interna-no-fla-mas-pode-retornar-ao-clube-como-arma-politica.htm

Liverpool took Everton to the woodshed 3-0. Steven Gerrard hit the hat trick. But this is not the real story. Everton’s mental midget of a manager David Moyes decided not to start his strongest side. This massive stroke of brilliance cost the Toffees big time. Everton had a chance to move ahead of the Reds in the table.

Gerrard’s hat trick is the first in this derby since 1982.

With the win Liverpool has avoided dropping four straight League matches.    

Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Do you want to talk about nuts. It was crazy. The guys were on the verge of dropping two points and ruining our chances for a spot in the Champions League.  Toons struck first. Hatem Ben Arfa found pay dirt in the 14^th minute. Arfa hit a great shot short post left. It sure looked like a bad evening for Gunner nation. Robin Van Persie road to the rescue a minute later. RVP deposited the rock into the back of the net in the 15^th minute.

We were tied one all late into injury time. It sure looked lost. Then a miracle happened. Theo Walcott drove the left wing. He fired a rocket into the teeth of the goal area. The rock bounced a few times. Thomas Vermaelen flicked this puppy into the back of the net for the win. Thus giving the guys a huge 2-1 win over Newcastle.

The miracle happened in 90^th minute plus five.

This masterpiece gives us sole possession of fourth place.

My Gunners are one point behind Tottenham.

Spurs have 53 points.

Arsenal has 52.

Let the fun and games begin.

At the end of the match stupidity ran rampant. RVP and Tim Krul exchanged bitch slaps and handbag shoves. Both were given yellow cards.

Stupid is as stupid does.

This moronic behaviour almost cost us big time.

Thirteen points separate us from second place City and fourteen points from top dog Man U.

This win saved our season.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://hillsongtv.com/

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/